.223 Questions

[Clovishound]

I recently picked up a new .223 rifle. My first centerfire rifle. I've been reloading .38 and 9mm for a couple years.

I scrounged about a hundred cases, half are .223, and half are 5.56 with crimped primers. I will be picking up a primer pocket ream this week and take care of the pockets and trim them to length. I had to use a spare straight wall decapping rod manually to remove the primers without backing out the rod in the die on the press. A couple of smacks with a wooden mallet took care of them. Was a little tedious, but I got them out fairly quickly.

I got a pound of the only suitable rifle powder that is available in the area right now. It is IMR 4189. I'm currently using Hornady 55 grain softpoints. Local indoor range requires soft points or hollow points in rifle calibers on their range.

I loaded up some of the .223 cases with start loads, and then worked up to about a half a grain up from that, putting it in the middle of the load range. I got excellent results from them. After playing around with the scope settings, I managed to get several 5 shot groups that were 1/2" edge to edge at 25 yds. This is the longest you can shoot at this range. Hard to say the mid range loads were more accurate than the start load. If I had to say, I would lean toward the middle loads.

What other powders should I be on the look out for? I got the 4189, because it was the only thing available. I may not have a lot of choice right now, but would appreciate a short list of good powders. I plan on mainly target shooting, probably no farther than 100 yds, maybe a little hunting.

I am currently using a FCD for the crimp. Not sure if the crimp makes much difference as I am firing them from a bolt action rifle. I understand that amount of crimp can affect pressures and MV. This die doesn't appear to be adjustable in the amount of crimp. The Hornadys have a cane lure, got the FCD set as I may want to use non cane lure bullets in the future.

Anything else I should know, or advice?

I would have to say I am very pleased with the accuracy I am getting right now, and looking forward to trying some different loads, and especially getting out to longer distances.

 

[Tellico]

You may get as many answers as there are .223 shooters! A few I have tried are BL-C2, W748, 335, H322, IMR8208XBR, IMR 4320, Tac and CFE 223. There are many others that work. The best I found were the CFE223 and 335, but I shoot mostly 45gr and 55gr Hornady. Bullet weight will depend on the twist rate of you rifle. The faster the twist the heavier bullet you can stabilize. I use a Lee universal decapper die and the stem has never moved with many, many 5.56 crimped primers.
Fred

 

[Buckhorn150]

Hands down cfe223 is were its at. Use to use varget but found cfe223 and love it. Got lucky and found 3 lbs. at my local bass pro other week. Just got to be persistent on looking.

 

[contender]

I have used BL-C2 for years, love it.
A note, you can use a neck chamfering tool to relieve the crimp on the primer pocket.

 

[427mach1]

I've used BL-C(2) with good results. I have loaded up several rounds of CFE-223 but haven't had the chance to shoot them yet.

 

[6gun]

Win 748 is my #1 choice, I also have some IMR 4198 that works well.

 

[Tellico]

I have used BL-C2 for years, love it.
A note, you can use a neck chamfering tool to relieve the crimp on the primer pocket.

Sure enough Ty and I use a rcbs deburring tool and some times just a sharp pocket knife. Never owned a primer pocket swager.
Fred

 

[tsubaki]

I'm somewhat restricted to what I can shoot in mine being they have a 1:12" twist and been getting good results with various 55gr stuff. The semiauto gets a moderate load at 25.5gr of BL-C(2) running about 3050fps but the single shot gets a hot load at 26.0gr of AA2230 scooting out there at 3450fps, both use magnum primers.
I can't help it, I gotta crimp, it's an illness.
You can likely get away with a bunch with the bolt action. If you have questions about different bullet weights/lengths that is suggested best for your twist rate, just holler.

 

[gerryb158]

Got to agree with all of the above. BL-C2 and W748 are my primary choices for the .223 though there are many others as good or maybe better. OP didn't mention what rifle he is loading for, just curious. Aside from AR's I have a M77 in .223 and it is a very fine rifle. BTW the RCBS primer pocket swaging tool is excellent and I do like the Lee FCD, which should be easily adjustable for amount of crimp. Gerry

 

[Rick Courtright]

Hi,

Not available around here right now, but, if so, 748 would be my first choice for .223. Making do w/ Reloder 7 right now which is working nicely in starting to mid-range loads for two of three rifles we've tried, an AR and a Savage bolt. A second AR is a touch grumpy and we're still "working up" on that one.

As for crimp, the Lee FCD DOES have a certain amount of adjustability. Check the instructions for a starting setting, then increase maybe 1/4 at a time until you're happy. Be careful not to get it too tight so you don't damage the die. Again, the instructions talk about that.

Lee, and some others, have a "universal" decapping die that works on just about any caliber. I don't even notice a difference between crimped 5.56s and non-crimped .223s when using it.

And Lee's chamfer tool works quite nicely at cleaning up the crimped primer pockets if you don't have to do too many of 'em at a time. You can spend a lot more, of course, and if you want to do so, the Dillon swaging tool enjoys high marks.

Rick C

 

[DeletedMember275]

Not a lot to add, except that the various Ball powders are rather heat sensitive. A load that works well in January may be too hot in August. Maybe not a big concern in SC, but a major concern here in Yuma, AZ. I have never felt the need to crimp .223 ammo, in any application. I load a large amount of USGI milsurp 5.56mm brass with crimped primers; the Lee Universal Decapping Die and the Dillon Super Swage 600 are the only way to roll, IMHO. The .223 is a pretty versatile cartridge as far as suitable powders goes; take a look at your reloading manual(s) and see what they recommend.

 

[Clovishound]

Thanks for all the replies.

I am shooting a Savage model 11 with the bull barrel. I believe it has a 9:1 twist.

I think I will stick with manually decapping the crimped, but may invest in a universal decapping die the next time I order something. LGS has a Lyman pocket reamer for a tad over $10. As a large percentage of scrounged cases seem to be crimped, it is probably a good investment.

 

[No-1]

Used 335 for years w/55g bullets. Bought a RRA Varmit upper for my AR and I'm playing with Varget and heavier bullets.

 

[admin100]

i have a new 223, just got my new Ruger American in a 223, its a 1/8 twist. i am currently fooling with a 69gr Sierra HPBT over 24gr of Varget works well in my gun. Good luck, and enjoy, Paul

 

[The Blackhawk Kid]

Got a Dillon 550B set up for W748 or BLC. I use 55 gr Boat tail HP's. Crimp does make a difference there is a way to add more or less crimp on your die. I have a Rock river varmint Ar-15 that likes 69 gr Sierra BTHP's. I can't find my load book so I can't give you my load but research on the net and you'll find a load that's what the military load is. Also, I use commercial brass so I don't have to de-crimp the primer pockets. Hope this helps a little. bhk

 

[Cherokee]

My most accurate and most used load for AR's and Mini-14's is H335 and Hornady 55gr JSP